Notes: Arb Estimates; FA Declarations; Pirates & MLB News

NL/ALCS week...

Notes:

• Matt Schwartz of MLB Trade Rumors has his guestimated arb salaries out. The Bucs have 11 guys eligible, with Bryan Reynold's $4.5M the top amount and Michael Perez's $900K the bottom figure. The arb-eligible total comes to just shy of $28M.
• 3B Ke'Bryan Hayes and RHP David Bednar both were named to the second squad of MLB Pipeline's All-Rookie team.
• IF Erik Gonzalez has declared for free agency after being DFA'ed and sent to Indy in early August. E-Gon had trouble staying healthy, he hit just .236 when he did play, and the Bucs are now knee-deep in young middle infielders, so...

E-Gon is E-Gone - photo Pirates 2021

• Indy RHP Keury Mella has also declared for free agency. The 28-year-old reliever was picked up in early August after being released by the D-Backs. He had made 21 MLB appearances in five years with the Reds and Arizona, posting a 7.22 ERA.
• The Pirates made an Arizona Fall League switch: RHP Miguel Yajure was scratched and replaced by RH reliever Bear Bellomy, 24, who worked out of Greensboro (9-2-2/4.57, 85K in 67IP) with one late outing at Indy. Yajure injured his lower back late in the season, which may explain his final subpar start, but is expected to be rehabbed and at 100% by camp.
• Rosey Rowswell, the Gunner's colorful predecessor in the booth, was announced as one of eight finalists for the 2022 Ford F. Frick Award for excellence in baseball broadcasting.
• The Qualifying Offer for a team's free agents this offseason will be $18.4M (it was $18.9M last year). Those FAs tendered will have until 12/1 to accept or refuse the QO.
• Per Jeff Passan of ESPN, MLB teams will begin to provide housing for its minor league players beginning in 2022. Salary increases and possible unionization can't be far behind...